David Ortega is Coronado's new head boys basketball coach

David Ortega has always had a goal of coaching a school in Texas' biggest classification. Now, he has the opportunity.

Ortega, who spent the last four seasons as Irvin's head boys basketball coach, was introduced as Coronado's new head boys basketball coach on Friday.

"It's an honor to be here in (Class) 6A and my first 6A job," Ortega said. "And Coronado High School, what a perfect situation. The tradition (at Coronado) is like no where else. This is where it is. This school is full of tradition. My goal is to keep it going, keep the championships coming with the hard work."

Ortega takes over a Thunderbird program that won the District 1-5A championship last season, went to third round of the Class 5A state playoffs, finished with a 24-5 overall record and went 13-1 in district.

He takes over for Derric Workman, who was hired to replace Peter Morales in May. However, Workman resigned in early June to take a job in the private sector. Morales left after this past season to take the athletic director position at San Elizario Independent School District.

The 49-year-old Ortega improved the Irvin program every year in his tenure at the school. He led the Rockets to a 15-14 overall record, a 6-8 District 1-4A record this past season and had the team in contention for a playoff spot late in the year.

Prior to Irvin, Ortega was at Canutillo for three seasons, leading the Eagles to a District 2-4A championship and a Class 4A bi-district title during the 2009-10 season.

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"I'm excited for the season to come up and see how he coaches us," said T-Bird senior forward Abraham Gamboa, who will be a key player for Coronado this season. "And I'm sure he'll take us to a great height."

As a player, Ortega was a standout for Andress, graduating in 1983. He later went to play at Kilgore College and started his coaching career as an assistant at Chapin in 2000.

"The committee felt very strongly about his expertise," Coronado High School principal Marielo Morales said. "His years being as a head coach at Canutillo and Irvin High School, that was a strong suit. One of the committee members said that the impression when he walked into the interview is that he's Coronado material - without even opening his mouth.

"He made a very good impression, not only as a presence, but when he interviewed. We're very, very happy."